Mercedes-Benz has launched the all-new 2014 S-Class S500 in India for a princely amount of Rs 1.57 crore (ex-showroom Delhi). Unveiled at an event in Germany in May, last year, the S500 is the first avatar of the W222 version to be launched in India.
Keeping up with the times, the 2014 S-Class has undergone some serious changes, both inside and outside. Weighing around 100kg less, the new car has better torsion stiffness and boasts of lower NVH levels than the previous car. The front of the car features a larger new grille, redesigned bumpers, full LED headlights as well as LED fog lamps. The side profile reveals aerodynamically flowing body lines which meet the arched roofline at the rear, where the LED tail lights feature prominently along with two huge tail pipes.
Mercedes-Benz has always been extravagant when it comes to the feature list of an S-Class, and the S500 gets all the creature-comforts that the Germans could get hold of. Prominent among the latest additions are seven LED ambient lights, a high-quality Burmester music system, heated and adjustable rear seats, armrests as well as a specialised air balance package which filters the air in the cabin and sprays a special scent branded by Mercedes themselves. As an optional extra, the customer can also opt for an individually customisable ‘first class rear’ business package.
The traditional instrument cluster has been ditched and two 12-in TFT displays have been added, one in the centre of the dashboard and the other behind the new multifunction, two-spoke wooden steering wheel. The S500 also features Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment system with an inbuilt 250GB hard disk. The system acts as a control centre for all audio, navigational and telecommunications functions in the car. The car also features a WiFi hotspot for internet access when on the move.
On the safety front, the S500 is equipped with a host of safety features like night view assist, eight airbags, Dynamic cornering control system, Adaptive Brake with HOLD Function and ASR among others. The S500 will be powered by a 4.7-litre bi-turbo V8 engine producing 460bhp and 700Nm of torque which is synchronised to a 7G-Tronic plus box. The S350 CDI will be the next variant to be launched in India. The bookings for the diesel will commence from April this year.
With what has been touted as the 'Best Luxury Car in the World', Mercedes-Benz seems set to take on the other two mighty Germans, BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8.
Check out the first look of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class